Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday in support of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s nomination to serve on the Supreme Court.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the Senate to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh,” Rep. Byrne said. “Judge Kavanaugh has a clear record as a thoughtful jurist who respects and will defend our Constitution. Those who have worked with him over the years and know him best strongly defend his record as a good man who loves his family and our country.”
“I’m ashamed we find ourselves where we are today,” Byrne continued. “It is shameful the way Judge Kavanaugh has had his name smeared, just as it is shameful that Dr. Ford has been used as a pawn in a political game. Frankly, my heart hurts for both of them.”
“Our government is only as good as the people who serve in it, and I am deeply concerned that this whole series of events will encourage fewer good men and women to take up the call of government service,” Byrne concluded. “This circus must end. The Senate should vote on Judge Kavanaugh, approve him to serve on the Supreme Court, and allow our great country to move forward.”
California college professor in psychology Christine Blasey Ford claims that a drunken Kavanaugh groped her and tried to remove her swimsuit at a party in 1982 when both of them were still in high school.
Kavanaugh denies ever even meeting Ms. Ford and claimed his innocence.
“I’m here today to tell the truth,” Kavanaugh told the Senate. “I’ve never sexually assaulted anyone.”
“This confirmation process has become a national disgrace,” Kavanaugh said. “The Constitution gives the Senate an important role in the confirmation process. But you have replaced advise and consent with search and destroy.”
“Over the past few days, other false and uncorroborated accusations have been aired,” Kavanaugh said. “There has been a frenzy to come up with something, anything, no matter how far-fetched or odious, that will block a vote on my nomination. These are last-minute smears, pure and simple.”
At the request of Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the allegations of sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh when he was a teenager in the 1980s. Republicans have asked why there is no presumption of evidence and have dismissed these last minute allegations as a smear campaign orchestrated by Senate Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has announced that there will be an up or down vote on Kavanaugh at some point this week.
